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Her Eyes Were Green	By : Lady_Kae Category: +M through R > Ni No Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch Views: 1451 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters used from the game Ni no Kuni: Wrath of the White Witch. All characters and game related material are property of their respective owners and there is no money being made from this piece of fiction.

Chapter List
- 8
- 9
- 10
Chapter 9: Retraction ( Or One Step Forward, Two Steps Back)
Swaine smiled as he crested the hill and looked at the sight Hamelin made in the afternoon sunlight. He promised Amara that he would be returning to Evesta for her coronation in about a month and he wanted that time to prepare a few things himself. Mostly his petition for the council Amara was staffing for the right to marry her. He walked through the gates and sighed heavily. It had been about quarter of a year since he had come back, he had spent so much time in Evesta.
Marcassin was playing chess with Aden as they spoke of ideas for the peace treaty Hamelin would have with Evesta once they received word of Magnus’ defeat.
“ Should we honestly go that route? I mean, that should only be a last resort, shouldn’t it Marcassin?” Aden asked, mirth evident in his voice about the topic they had just broached.
Marcassin chuckled. “ We’ll just have to see how things play out. Besides I...” he began, turning in surprise as the door opened.
Swaine walked through the door, and smiled brightly at the two men even as he cleared his throat. “ Lord Debrotane, her royal highness, Princess Amara Ivette Debrotane, has asked me to deliver a message to you. She needs you to return to the palace post haste.” he said, with a slight bow and a smirk.
Both Marcassin and Aden gave shouts of joy at the news. They hadn’t been checking the status of the veil Amara had set into place lately.
“ Marcassin, forgive me, but I need to return to my cousin’s side immediately. She will need help choosing the members of council and I do not wish to see her choose my father’s men. They are a treacherous lot for certain.” Aden said excitedly. He moved his chess piece, a knight, and smiled broadly. “ Check and mate.”
“ Wait...What?” Marcassin said, looking back to the chess board. He could not help but grumble under his breath as Aden had him to rights. He hadn’t seen the knight encroaching on his king. “ Aren’t you going with him?” he asked his older brother, his blue eyes alight with curiosity.
Swaine shook his head. “ I need this time to work on my presentation to the council once they’re ready. I fully intend to petition for Amara’s hand in marriage. Besides, both of us will need to be present for her coronation in a month. That should give me plenty of time.” Swaine said with a soft smile on his face. “ In the meantime, have I got a hell of a tale to tell you...” he began as he settled in the chair across from Marcassin, his cocoa colored eyes alight with more life than the young prince had ever seen in them before.

Amara stood straight as she walked through the double doors leading to the entrance hall. The delegation from the three kingdoms had arrived that morning and she was more than happy to greet them herself. Her bearing exuded femininity and her royal heritage as her gown barely swayed as she walked, her footsteps sure and silent as she approached her guests. Her green eyes fell upon the crowd gathered before her and she gave a deep curtsy to them. “ Your bountiful bovinity, your radiance, your meowjesty, your highnesses, and sages and wizards of great renown. Allow me to personally welcome you to the imperial palace in Evesta’s capital of Cygnus. I thank you all most graciously for coming.” she said, rising slowly as she looked each of them in the eyes, coming to Swaine’s tawny ones last. Both of them smiled broadly at one another, although Amara could clearly see desire glittering in his brown orbs. It was taking everything in her not to run immediately over to Swaine’s side as it was. “ I have taken the liberty of having rooms prepared for all of you, if you would follow the servants to them once you are ready.”
Thank goodness the Cowlipha had cast shrink on herself, Amara mused, breathing an inward sigh of relief. That would make things much easier in the long run.
Swaine’s eyes were locked on Amara as she welcomed Rashaad, Nayana, Esther, and Oliver; who had come to visit at a most opportune time, first, hugging Nayana tightly as the older woman looked her over. They almost hadn’t believed the news when Swaine had told them that Amara was the missing evestan princess. They spoke a few words and Amara got down to Esther and Oliver’s level, greeting both of them in turn as well. Amara laughed brightly at something the young wizard told her and Amara replied in return. She waved a gentle hand towards the doors, and then took time to greet Khulan and Kublai with their infant son in tow. They had married not long after the defeat of the white witch. Amara’s eyes were shining with happiness as she took the babe from his mother, his laughter bright as Amara played with him and Swaine felt his heart clench...Would this be what she looked like with their children? He was the only one who knew what a soft spot she had for kids as it was.
Amara gave a deep curtsy as she welcomed the Grand Sage Solomon, very few words being exchanged here. As with Khulan, she had not had the chance to meet him before this day. The elder of the tomtees was next, and Amara smiled. She had personally set up his room to help match the cooler temperatures of the winter isles. The elder looked surprised at this news and smiled happily as his fuzzy arms wrapped around Amara in his joy. Amara gave him a gentle hug in return and then turned to greet the Governor of Castaway Cove.
Why had she invited all these people again? Amara mused. She wanted to have some one on one time with Swaine before the council convened that morning with the final preparations for tomorrow.
“ Your radiance.” Amara said, giving a deep curtsy to Cassiopeia as she said this. If it hadn’t been for Cassiopeia’s gift of the bough to Swaine, Amara would probably have fallen against Magnus. The Witch Queen of Nazcaa gently brought her back up, her blue eyes meeting Amara’s verdant ones.
“ Please, not in your own hall.” she said, smiling. “ We are your guests here.” Cassiopeia’s eyes glazed a bit at the contact as her magic told her a little of the woman’s future.
“ If it hadn’t been for you, your majesty, I would not be standing here today.” Amara countered.
“ Ridiculous. If it hadn’t been for Prince Gascon, you wouldn’t be standing here today. He’s the one who made your wand, your highness.” Cassiopeia chirped happily. “ I have a gift for you right now though, if you will permit if of me.”
Amara nodded.
“ I have seen a little of the future before you. As long as there is love, there is always hope...” Cassiopeia said obliquely. “ That is honestly all I can say without getting into too much detail.”
Amara smiled. “ Thank you.” She couldn’t help but feel as if it were more of a warning than a gift.
King Tom bowed graciously to Amara as she came to a stop in front of him. “ One thanks you for the invitation to this once in a lifetime event. It is not everyday occurrence that a new queen is crowned, much less in a country that was suffering for decades like this one.” he said, taking her hand and giving it a light kiss before following the servant that would be attending to him for his stay.
Lowlah was next as she curtsied to Amara as they shook hands daintily. “ We very much appreciate your hospitality, your highness. Might we ask what time the afternoon luncheon will be served?”
“ That would be at twelve thirty on the dot, your moojesty. And no worries, Abull has done a remarkable job in making sure you will be adequately provided for here.” Amara replied, curtsying once more.
Lowlah smiled and followed the chambermaids that were leading the way to her rooms.
Marcassin and Swaine were just about to bow when Amara shook her head. “ Get over here!” she shouted, closing the distance between them and throwing her arms around both their necks. It was only the three of them in the hall at this point and she knew them better than most of the guests she had needed to invite out of courtesy.
Marcassin smiled at the gesture and quickly slid out of Amara’s grasp as Swaine pulled her in closer to him. They embraced one another tightly, Amara’s head resting just over his heart.
Damn she had missed him this last month.
Swaine was just about to lean in for a kiss when Amara heard the door open and the two broke apart. Swaine did not want to tip his hand too early after all.
“ Your highness, there you are! I have a message from Lord Debrotane. He said the members of the council have convened and are ready to begin when you are. Oh goodness me! Good morning your highnesses." a chambermaid said, curtsying quickly to Swaine and Marcassin.
“ Thank you Penny. Please inform my cousin that I will be joining them momentarily once I finish greeting our guests.” Amara replied. “ And could you please make sure that my favorite dress is set out for when I’m done? I’m going into the garden this afternoon to tend to my plants.”
Penny curtsied even as she smiled. “ At once your highness.”
Amara groaned as she looked at both the porcine princes. “ As much as I would love to chat at the moment, duty calls. I’ll be showing you to your rooms personally, if you’ll please follow me.” Amara said, sweeping her hand to the side slightly.
Marcassin nodded and looked over at his brother with a smirk. He looked a bit irritated that Amara was being swept off so soon. The east wing of the palace was where she led them, coincidentally it was where her own chambers were, and Amara came to a stop in front of a suite. “ Marcassin, this is going to be your room. If there is anything you need, please feel free to give Penny a shout. She’s my personal maid and will be attending to all three of us during your stay.”
Marcassin nodded and gave Amara a platonic hug. “ I’m certain your parents would be very proud of you, Amara.” he said, smiling as he held her at an arms length. “ I know for a fact that Gascon and I are.”
Amara smiled and gave Marcassin another squeeze for good measure. “ Thank you. It is good to see you again, Marcassin. I trust we’ll be able to get knee deep into peace talks soon?”
“ As soon as everything settles down, though Aden and I have admittedly already begun brainstorming a few ideas.” Marcassin replied. “ Now, you two get along before you need to meet the council. I’m going to be perusing the library if you don’t mind too terribly Amara.”
“ Be my guest, Marcassin. Be wary though, some of the tomes are in elvish.” Amara replied even as she turned back to Swaine.
“ And where am I going to be staying this entire time?” Swaine purred as Amara led him down the hall.
“ Officially, in the room four doors down from mine if anyone asks. However, Penny and Aden are the only two aware of how deep our relationship is.” Amara said, her eyes glittering as she opened the door to her chambers. “ Unofficially however, if it were in my power to do so, you would not be leaving this room...” Amara purred.
Swaine smirked as he swept Amara into his embrace once the door had closed, their lips crashing together after a month of no contact, and he groaned into her mouth as he got rock hard almost immediately. “ This is not even remotely fair. I’m stuck with just myself for company until you’re finished with the council.” he groaned.
Amara chuckled and kissed Swaine sensually. “ No worries, darling. I don’t plan on going directly to the garden, however you will need to put in an appearance at lunch. And Penny is more than discreet. I chose her as my personal maid for a reason you know.” Amara groaned into his mouth as Swaine swept her up against the wall, pressing his body into hers ardently. His tongue snaked into her mouth, and Amara found herself heating up against him despite the fact she knew she needed to get to the council. “ Gascon please.” she purred happily. She really had missed him.
Swaine smirked, knowing he could have Amara right now if he wanted; which he did, but she had pressing matters to attend to before she could take care of him. “ Should I wait here for you?”
Amara’s eyes glazed over at the thought of him naked and waiting for her in bed. Damn him, he had her hook, line and sinker. She was going to be cross eyed with need by the time the deliberations with the council were finished. Thank goodness she had Aden to fall back on for the most part. Amara’s eyes filled with heat as she looked at him, and she nodded silently. This was going to be a very long morning.

“ Your highness?”
Amara started, as she had been looking out the window longingly towards the eastern wing of the castle. With the exception of Aden, the rest of the council she had set in place surmised she was wanting to get out into her garden. That was part of her elvish heritage she had come to learn, the love of being around the plants as she tended and nurtured them. “ I’m sorry, gentlemen, my mind is elsewhere with all the preparations and run throughs I’ve been going through for tomorrow’s coronation. It doesn’t help that Prince Gascon is here. I’ve missed him terribly over the time he has been overseas. I would like to see more emphasis place on agriculture at this point in time for our trade routes. I’ve noticed that we have some very talented farmers if the yield they gather from their crop has anything to say about it. Furthermore... ” she began, picking the topic back up.
Soon the topic once again switched to Amara getting married. They had been over this at least once every meeting and it was starting to get on Amara’s last nerve.
Some of the older men on the council scowled at their princess’ stubbornness. She had blatantly rejected their sons after all. “ Your highness, we would ask that you at least give...”
Amara leveled her gaze on the man speaking. “ Lord Eran, please don’t say another word. I know I have made it more than clear that I will not accept another suitor. My heart belongs to Gascon. He has done more for me than anyone else I have ever met, even when we were nothing but complete strangers to one another. He’s a more than worthy suitor, and would no sooner harm a hair on my head than throw himself on a blade.” Amara hissed. They had been trying to force her to court some of the sons of the members of her council in the month Swaine had been in Hamelin and Amara wasn’t having any of it. She already had the man she loved.
Lord Preston Eran leveled his eyes on the woman who would be crowned their queen tomorrow. There was no doubt in his mind that Amara would be a truly wise and compassionate ruler, but he was of the same lines as Magnus had been. He would rather see her marry a son of evestan blood rather than some riff-raff prince from the Porcine Empire. The ruling line had been muddled enough as it was with the elven blood running through her veins.
The council had to be unanimous when it came to a suitor. No matter how many times this Gascon would petition for Amara’s hand, Preston would always vote no, the love they shared be damned.
Amara was in a bad mood by the time she returned to her chambers. She had completely forgotten that Swaine was there waiting for her by the time she finished roaring at the council about the suitors they were trying to force her way, and Swaine could see how distracted and irritable she was as he got up off the bed. He was dressed in only his trousers at this point, as he had thought Amara would jump his bones the minute she got in her door.
Maybe he needed to be the one doing the distracting. Swaine smirked as he crossed the room to his lover, turning her in his arms quickly and kissing her senseless. He chuckled as Amara shrieked a little into his mouth in surprise, but that was quickly replaced by a wanton groan as her hands smoothed over his bare chest.
“ Now...Where were we?” Swaine whispered huskily against Amara’s lips. He lifted her against the wall again even as he hiked up her dress. To hell with waiting to get her out of it, Swaine needed Amara right then and there.
Amara couldn’t say a word as Swaine all but ripped her knickers away, her green eyes full of liquid heat as she locked them on to his. She moaned as he closed the distance between them, her eyes fluttering at the contact even as fire flooded her veins.
Swaine quickly undid his pants with one hand as his tongue delved in to dance with Amara’s, their supple muscles twisting and caressing as their passion soared. The last month apart had been hard for Swaine at first, as he had grown accustomed to sharing a bed with her, and even more so to taking her whenever he pleased. Swaine quickly positioned himself at Amara’s slick entrance, and thrust hard and deep into her willing body even as she cried out at the sudden sensation.

Penny was just about to open the door to Amara’s chambers when her gut told her not to and she smirked. It looked like things were getting back to normal from where they had left off a month ago.

Aden found Marcassin in the library, his silver eyes narrowed. He had just cornered Preston about his intentions and had gotten no where in trying to talk some sense into the man. Despite the honorable man he was, Preston Eran had a holier than thou streak.
“ Aden?” Marcassin asked, looking to his friend curiously. Aden was beyond fuming at that point. “ Aden, what’s wrong?”
“ The discussion of a suitor for Amara came up today...While she is holding firm to the fact that there will be no other suitor for her besides your brother, one of the members of the council will not allow a man of non-evestan blood to marry her. He’s all but said that he will throw every son Evesta has to offer before he will even remotely consider allowing Gascon to petition for her hand.”
“ Can’t Amara have the last say in this? She’s going to be the queen of this country as of tomorrow as it stands.”
“ Evestan law dictates that if an unwed queen takes to the throne, the council must be unanimous in a decision for her husband. I’ve done all I can over the last month to help build up support for Gascon, but I believe he will have to take it from here so that the council can see how the two of them are together...Where is your brother anyways? I need to let him know this turn of events.”
Marcassin gave Aden a knowing look. Although Swaine hadn’t told him, Marcassin was exceedingly positive the two had more than consummated their relationship. “ Where do you think?” he said flatly, chuckling all the while.
Aden chuckled as well. Amara had been nothing short of distracted the entire meeting with the council, now he was sure he knew why.

Amara’s eyes were locked to Swaine’s heatedly as she bounced in his lap furiously, her hips rolling even as they met his at a breakneck pace as they both encroached their breaking point. Swaine’s lips locked onto the sensitive flesh of her neck, and his fingers came up to tease a pert nipple as he did everything he could to make Amara topple over the edge.
Amara’s eyes screwed shut as the bubble that was building inside of her tightened and focused on a single point, the sensation nearly unbearable at this point as Swaine reclaimed her thoroughly. “ Gascon please...I’m...I...” she cried out brokenly.
“ Let go Amara...” he whispered huskily in her ear. “ I’ve got you...Just let go love.”
Swaine reaffirmed this statement with a series of hard thrusts that knocked against Amara’s cervix, her eyes flying open wide at the ache it caused, but damn did it hurt so good. Amara gave a shriek as she stiffened in Swaine’s arms as she finally crested the wave they had been riding and Swaine groaned as she tightened around him. It only took a few more thrusts for his release to hit him, and Swaine groaned his completion into Amara’s neck as he emptied himself within her.
They both sat there as they attempted to catch their breaths, their chests heaving and hearts racing that neither was sure if it was their own they felt thudding so furiously. Amara’s lips found his once more, her hands tangled in his mahogany colored curls as Swaine pressed her closer to him.
“ I love you...” he whispered against her lips, his eyes shut in contentment. Now that he had satiated his more carnal appetite for Amara, he could think a little clearer. “ I’ve missed you so much...”
Amara sighed happily. “ I’ve missed you as well, my love.” she breathed out, nuzzling his neck tenderly. Slowly, they untangled themselves from one another, and Amara strode confidently over to her en suite bathroom. Despite the fact that she was going to be going out to the garden and into the sun, she needed to wash herself before going through the palace.
Swaine’s eyes glittered as he watched her walk, his gaze locked onto the gentle sway of her hips as they rolled invitingly and he followed her in. Maybe he hadn’t satiated that appetite just yet...

Amara was much more relaxed and all smiles as she worked in the bright summer sunlight. It was only the beginning of August and her birthday was soon coming up. Looking over to her lover as he dozed contentedly against a shade tree, Amara smiled softly. Maybe by that time she could start planning a wedding. She knew Swaine wasn’t going anywhere and she would not allow him to either. She was more than ready to take the next leap in their relationship. Not only that, Amara had another yearning building in her heart.
It was the baby that had broken her.
Even as a teenager, Amara knew she wanted to get married and have two or three kids. She was always helping the matron of the orphanage with the babies and toddlers, and had a huge nurturing streak a mile wide. While that showed in the way she gave her hospitality as no one ever went without and they were more than well fed; Swaine knew this first hand, Amara was starting to feel deep in her heart that she was ready. There was only one man she wanted those children with.
And he was dozing quite peacefully thirty paces away.
Amara watered her herbs, and stood up with her basket in hand. She needed to make more of the shampoo she and Marcassin had made for Swaine to help tame his curls. She also had procured Marcassin’s recipe for the shampoo he had gifted her with. She had run out late last month.
Swaine felt Amara’s lips on his forehead and his tawny eyes fluttered open. When had he dozed off? “ Everything alright?” he asked, yawning as he did so.
“ Everything is fine, darling. I just wanted to wake you now that I’ve finished up. I need to get to my lab and didn’t want to leave you sleeping out here. I’ve got a few rosaliar’s here in the garden somewhere and wouldn’t want them attacking you as you slept. They’re very protective of my plants.” Amara said sweetly, her knuckles caressing his cheek lightly so as not to get him dirty either. She laughed a bit as her efforts were for not and Swaine smiled as he pulled a handkerchief from his pocket to clean his face off with. " Did you want to start heading in to grab a quick bit to eat?"
Swaine nodded and stood up. The hair on the back of his neck stood on end and he turned around as he felt someone’s eyes on his back. He smiled as he gave Amara a curt bow. “ I’m being watched by someone in the window to my left and back. One of the council members?” he asked her. Well, there went any chance of it just being the two of them now. He had just been about to whisk her off further into the tree line for a quick kiss or five.
Amara curtsied, hating to have to go through all these motions with him. He was the one person she could be herself around. “ If I didn’t know any better, that would be Lord Preston Eran...He’s been your most outspoken protester every time I’ve refused to be courted by any of the councilmen’s sons for the very reason that we’ve been courting for nearly a year now.” She took Swaine’s offered arm and he began leading her inside.
“ They have been trying to hoist one of their sons off on you?” Swaine said, interested now even as his eyes narrowed jealously. Just let one of them try to approach her if he was near. He’d make it very clear that Amara was his.
“ I’ve refused them at every turn, don’t worry dearest.” Amara said, smirking. “ I’m a big girl and do know how to take care of myself you know.”
Swaine sighed and smiled as they turned to one another. “ I know Amara. It’s just that...” he was quickly silenced by her finger at his lips.
“ If I didn’t know any better, the green eyed monster almost took a hold of you for a moment there.” Amara replied with a giggle. She stood on tiptoe even as Swaine leaned into her, their lips meeting in a gentle caress.

Preston was watching them intently. So this was the porcine prince that had ensnared the soon to be queen’s heart? That was none other than the Emperor’s Demon child. He had been there when the boy had taken out an entire platoon by himself. Preston bristled at this. There was no way in hell he was going to allow this to continue.

Amara’s coronation the next day went over smoothly, and a grand ball was held in honor of the occasion. Hell, the party lasted an entire week as the evestan’s celebrated the return of the true heir to the throne and the peaceful times that were ahead.

Swaine paced the hall before the council’s chamber, trying to will himself to calm down. Amara was not allowed to be present during this sort of meeting, as he was a possible candidate, and due to the very nature of their relationship would not have been allowed to vote as it stood. Swaine took a deep calming breath as the door opened and Aden stepped out, his silver eyes falling on his friend.
“ Gascon, are you ready?” he asked softly. It wouldn’t due to have the rest of the council hear him address the prince so informally.
“ As ready as I’ll ever be, Aden.” Swaine replied. If all went well, he would be proposing tonight on Amara’s birthday.
“ My fellow member’s of the council, I present to you Gascon Moritan, the eldest prince of Hamelin.”
“ Esteemed lords and gentle fellows, I thank you for the time you have taken to see me this afternoon.” Swaine said politely, bowing to the twelve men gathered.
“ You would present yourself as a possible suitor to her majesty?” one of them said curiously.
“ If I may be so bold as to say so, her majesty and I were courting before we even found out her true identity. I never gave up on her, not even after she went missing for over half a year.”
“ I can vouch for him on this matter, gentlemen. After her majesty’s insurrection from my father, his highness was with her every step of the way, even at the detriment to his own life. If it wasn’t for his love and support for her, the queen would not be here today. I know it has been asked who crafted the wand she wields. Well men, look no further than the man before us. It was his skill and his dedication to her that has given her such power.”
Aden chanced a look at other eleven members of the council. Most of them were nodding approvingly, though a few others still were on the fence. “ Your highness, maybe you could give us more insight as to how you and her majesty first came to meet.” Aden said smoothly. If the noble act of helping a stranger didn’t turn the rest of them, he didn’t know what would.
Swaine nodded and began retelling the events that had happened at the beginning of last year, his eyes soft in remembrance. There was a slight smile on his face as he spoke of the time he and Amara had spent together as they had worked together to build the expansion and the time he had spent training her to protect herself.
Love was very evident in his eyes as Swaine spoke of Amara, and he found himself recanting their second trip to Al Mamoon before he realized it.
“ I cannot begin to express the sheer terror and helplessness I felt when I realized that there was a chance she was dead.” Swaine said softly. “ The only things we had found at first was her wand still smoldering on the ground, a hank of her hair covered in blood, and her family crest; which she always wore. It took a little more investigation to find that she had been absconded by the usurper’s men. If only I had known...”
“ Sometimes things are meant to happen they way they do. If her majesty had not been captured, I personally don’t believe she would have become the woman we all look to now.” Lord Richard Erabrand spoke up, smiling. Personally, he thought the young man had them dead to rights. He was deeply in love with their queen and she had told them more than once there was no one else she would allow to court her besides the man she loved. Who were they to keep them apart? “ I believe we have heard enough for now. If you allow us time to deliberate, Lord Debrotane will come and get you once we have made our decision.”
Swaine nodded and bowed deeply before the twelve men before showing himself from the room.

Richard looked to the other eleven men gathered as they spoke for the better part of an hour about Swaine’s candidacy to marry Amara and stood up. “ All those in favor, please stand.”
Preston stayed firmly in his seat as his eyes narrowed on his constituents. He was the only one not standing.
Richard shook his head. The council had to be unanimous, it was a shame that it couldn’t be that the majority ruled. Well, there was nothing to stop Swaine from approaching again and again. “ Lord Debrotane, if you would please.”
“ At once.” he replied, standing to go get Swaine from the hallway. Aden was hopeful that they could be swayed.

Swaine entered the hall once more, and gave another low bow to the members of Amara’s council. It wouldn’t do to disrespect them.
Richard stood, his face grim. “ Your highness, I am sorry to tell you the council was not unanimous in a decision for your petition to wed her majesty. To the naysayers, is there anything you wish to tell him?” His voice was thick with disapproval.
Preston’s eyes narrowed on the young man standing before them and he stood himself to address him. “ Your highness, I have seen firsthand what you are capable of in your anger. How can we be certain that the same harm won’t befall our queen?”
“ I beg your pardon, Lord...” Swaine began, not knowing the man’s name.
“ Eran.”
“ Lord Eran, I don’t believe we have ever met before this day...How would you know how I am in my rage?”
“ I was there when the empress fell. I was only a mage at the time, but even at the young age you were, your highness, you were beyond deadly. I reiterate, how can we be certain that you will not harm her majesty if you were to lose your temper?!” Preston demanded.
“ I would no sooner harm a single hair on her majesty’s head than kill myself!” Swaine countered, his eyes narrowed. “ I love that woman with every fiber of my being and my only wish is her continued happiness. I assure you that if her safety is what you are worried for, the would be no man who would fight more fiercely for her than I!” Swaine’s hand swept to the side to punctuate this claim, his temper beginning to rise to the surface.
“ So says the Emperor’s Demon Child. How many soldiers did he kill alone in the war over twenty years ago? He eliminated an entire squad and a half in his rage, and he was but a child no older than ten! Is this the man you would allow to marry our beloved queen? This Hamelian riff raff? This ticking time bomb?!” Preston smirked as the majority of the council realized exactly who Swaine was.
Swaine’s eyes narrowed on the man speaking and the other members of the council began muttering to themselves.
“ I set forward the motion to restrict Prince Gascon’s movements here in Evesta to further protect her majesty. He will leave immediately, as he will only be allowed here in an official capacity, and even then will only be allowed near her majesty if there are guards nearby.” Preston purred. “ Majority rules of course.”
“ Have I not proven to any of you that I only have her majesty’s best interests in mind?! I fought beside her to help her reclaim the throne from the usurper, I would no sooner turn on her then turn my gun on myself!” Swaine said, his eyes narrowed on Preston.
“ That is a chance we are not willing to risk.” an old, wizened man piped up. “ I vote in favor of the motion.”
" I vote against! Prince Gascon has been nothing short of a valuable ally to her majesty. He has done everything in his power for her since they met. Why would he ever do such a thing as you are suggesting, Lord Eran?!” Aden said, his voice full of venom. Amara would hear of this.

Amara was already pacing in the hallway waiting for them to finish. She wanted to see Swaine the minute he came out. Hopefully he was successful.

“ I vote for the motion! He killed my eldest son!”
“ And my brother! I vote in favor!”
Richard’s eyes narrowed as eight votes quickly mounted in favor of throwing Swaine out of the palace. These men were all emotionally compromised as they had lost a son or brother in the war. Well, if he knew their queen, Amara would have them dismissed for that very reason. “ I vote against. I know true love when I see it, and you are all despicable for allowing the actions of war to dictate her majesty’s happiness. I am more than certain that his highness fought in self defense, as well as the defense of his brother, and that his rage was fueled by the grief of seeing his mother murdered before his eyes. If I recall...” Richard began, his eyes narrowing on Preston.
“ The majority speaks, Lord Erabrand. Prince Gascon, you are hereby cast out of the Evestan palace. You have your restrictions. And don’t bother writing either. Every letter you send her will be intercepted.” Preston said. Now Amara would not have a choice. She would have to choose a suitor of Evestan blood.
Swaine’s eyes narrowed on Preston’s silver ones. “ Very well then...I will not oppose the council’s wishes, but know this. I will not give up on Amara. I have said it once and I will say it again. I love that woman with every fiber of my being. I will marry her one day. I swear it.” he hissed softly. He turned on his heel as he stormed into the hall, not even waiting to be dismissed.
Amara jumped when the door was forced open with a slam and Swaine exited the chamber in a foul mood. “ Gascon? What happened?” she asked him even as she grabbed both his arms to stay him. Her green eyes were wide with worry as they met his anger filled ones and Amara held firm to him even as Swaine tried to keep moving.
“ I’ve been cast out of the palace. I’m sorry...Just remember that I love you...I won’t give up on you, Amara...” he began. He kissed her fiercely before breaking away, not wanting to chance any more trouble with the men in the other room.
Amara was confused as she watched Swaine turn the corner towards the east wing and her eyes narrowed in rage. She entered the council room, slamming the door open as she did so. “ What is the meaning of this?!” she demanded, her voice booming over the din. All twelve men were arguing loudly and quickly quieted the moment their queen made her presence known. “ Why has Gascon been cast out of the palace? What has he done to warrant such treatment?”
“ That man is a ticking time bomb, your majesty. I have seen first hand the damage he can do in his rage.” Preston began. “ We will not allow the same harm to befall you.”
Amara’s eyes narrowed on Preston menacingly. “ I have seen what kind of damage he can do as well. We fought side by side not even three months ago. And even if he were to lose his temper with me, I can assure you that I don’t need anyone else’s help in defending myself. I thought I had proven that fact already.” Amara seethed, her tone dangerous enough to stop a rabid gruffian in its tracks.
The council blanched. Their queen was an accomplished fighter in her own right. She was the only person in recent years to receive the moniker of “Giant Slayer”.
“ Your majesty, he is not worthy enough of you in my eyes. He...” Preston began.
“ SILENCE!” Amara bellowed, her green eyes aflame in her rage. “ How many of you allowed your perceptions to be colored by a war that happened twenty years ago?” she hissed dangerously. Even as the queen, she could not completely reverse the decision the council made without her. She could petition to have it overturned, but that wasn’t very likely to happen, even with the men she would be replacing them with. “ Well!?!”
Eight of her twelve stood, and Amara leveled her eyes on everyone of them. “ I chose all of you because I thought you all would be fair and open minded to the issues we have to deal with here. If I can’t trust you to let bygones be bygones, then I can’t trust you in such a position where your actions have such a heavy impact. The eight of you are hereby dismissed off of this council, be lucky that’s all I do.”
“ Your majesty, you canno...” Preston began, fully intending to object their sudden ejection from their positions.
" I most certainly can! I know for a fact that your decisions were compromised on a personal and emotional level. You were not fair or balanced in your decision to cast him away due to the ghost of the memory he resembles for you from the war. The reminder of the pain you felt at that point in time. Now I will not repeat myself again. LEAVE NOW!” she bellowed. Her chest was heaving with emotion and Amara quickly gathered the front of her gown as she ran from the room. She needed to get to her chambers before Swaine left the palace.
Swaine dared not turn back around as he walked to the port. There were tears in his eyes as he made his way through the town. This was not supposed to have gone this way at all.

Amara found her room empty one less body and she shook her head as tears began streaming down her face. She fell to the side of the bed Swaine had occupied, clutching his pillow to her as she sobbed brokenly. The council had ruined everything...
It was the worst birthday she could recall ever having.
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Her Eyes Were Green